Charles Crider

Charles Crider . . . upon seeing Sheila's great HUMMINGBIRD photo . . . sent one of his own, commenting . . . "Here is a picture of a "Bushy-tailed Sapsucker Hummingbird" that I took in our yard in Spring. It is a little different."

When I picked myself up off the floor, I responded... "OK, Charles...I have to admit you got me on that one...and gave me a great laugh!!! I was anxiously waiting to see this 'Bushy-tailed Sapsucker Hummingbird' you caught with your camera as I waited for it to open. I am told that I really am quite gullible, and I must admit (after the fact) I should have known what was coming. I was actually trying to picture how a bird's tail could look bushy - guessed the feathers were ruffled. You do have a great sense of humor, and I can just see your sly grin as you perpetrated this hoax." Karla

[ Click here to check out the post in the main section entitled "Charles and Dolly's Dobermans" to get a glimpse of their wit (VERY creative names for their furry, four-footed friends) as well as some aspects of their lifestyle. ]

Biographical Comments

In 1962 I took a ‘summer job’ at Austral Oil Company in their data processing department. The co-workers were great and at the end of the summer, convinced me to stay. In 1964, a co-worker arranged a “blind date” with Dolly and the rest is history. We were married on her birthday in 1965. We are both retired now and staying busy and having fun. Our home in Spring was built in 1973 and we still reside there among all the trees. I retired from IT in 2006. I enjoyed many phases of my job there. Throughout the years training the users and programming were my favorite parts.

We inherited a portion of my grandparent’s ranch outside of Marble Falls. In 1983 we had a cabin built and, since my father introduced me to woodworking as a little kid, I made the cabinets and finished the inside. One morning we were eating breakfast when we saw something out the window that we had never seen before or since. There were twin fawns nursing at the same time. It was really something. Click here to link to some photos of this place.

About four years ago I started making pens. My first one was made out of a Dogwood tree that had died in our yard. It has been very interesting. I have made some from a variety of woods including Walnut, Birdseye Maple and some exotic woods like Cocobolo and Kamagong. I also make them from deer horns or deer horns with bullet cases. It is a very different kind of woodworking that I really enjoy. Thanks, Charles, for your biographical information and photos. The pens look quite impressive in the photos. The pen on the left is labeled "Deer Horn and Bullet" and the one on the right is labeled "Walnut and Maple". Double click on pictures for an enlarged view. See more pen photos at the end of this page. Below is a firsthand report from someone who has actually seen and handled the pens that Charles makes. This is a previously published account of Billie Young’s visit with Charles and Dolly.

Billie Jean Trombatore Young had a wonderful experience recently, thanks to Charles and Dolly Crider. On Billie's biography page you can read how she lost her Milby yearbooks, and MANY other treasures, in a flood. She met Charles and Dolly recently to borrow Charles' annuals. The following tells about returning them after copying many pages. Billie writes: "Met Charles & Dolly Crider @ the Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls this morning to give him his 3 yearbooks back, & return John Echoff's 9th Grade Book. Thanks again, guys. (John, you'll also find a surprise with yours. Charles already got his.)

For you Buffs who may not be aware of hidden talent in our class, Charles Crider makes awesome one-of-a-kind pens!! I finished my Christmas shopping "in the booth, in the back, in the corner in the light" today. He makes them out of deer horns, all different kinds of gorgeous wood, rifle bullets, pearlized & more. He made one for each of my hunter guys with deer horns & rifle bullets, with a rifle on the upper part. One was made from an ancient oak tree at his grandfather's farm. Being one of those wild Red Hatters, he made me one that's a gorgeous pearlized purple. Charles had waitresses in awe of his wares. I told him he should sell them on Ebay. We always knew Charles was a great "cut-up." Now he REALLY IS!! Karla, I suggested he send you some pictures of them." Left to right, top to bottom, these are: Cocobolo, Slimline Crushed Velvet, Cypress Knee, Slimline Deer Horn, Slimline Walnut, Deer Horn with Rifle. Double click on photos for an enlarged view. Billie's comments (from a later e-mail) sum this up, "Aren't those photos of Charles Crider's pens something else? They don't even scratch the scratch of the surface of the variety he has in that nice wooden carrying case. (He probably made that too.) I can hardly wait for Christmas so our family can receive the eight pens he made for them. Needless to say, I think his workmanship is awesome!! THINK CHRISTMAS! Love y'all bunches! Billie" Please take the time now to make a comment in response to Charles' biography. You will also enjoy reading the comments that others have left.

CLICK HERE to return to the top of the main section after reading comments below, and/or making your own comment.

June 6, 2009 - Eight Milby Buffs and their spouses gathered at the home of Larry and Charlene Smith for a little target practice and a lot of eating and visiting. A great time was had by all!!! Click on title or thumbnails to view and read more.

Enroute from their home in North Carolina to a conference in Colorado, Thurburn and Cathie Barker stop for a visit with Ed and Karla Davis in Waco, Texas. Click on title or thumbnail to view photos and read narrative of this reunion.

Charles Crider wrote, "In mid-May, we departed Houston and flew to Honolulu for a duel celebration of Dolly’s birthday and our 45th anniversary." Click on the title or thumbnail to see enlarged photos and read the captions.

Jody Bugg orchestrated the May 13, 2010 luncheon and wrote: “We had 19 attend the luncheon today. We had a great time.” Click on thumbnails or titles to enlarge the photos and read the captions - more narrative to follow.

Brenda Collins Burnett has sent the photos from her elementary years. She started school at Park Place Elementary (2 years) and finished at Southmayd Elementary. Can you find yourself in any of these photos? Perhaps you can help her fill in the gaps on her identification. Post your info via a comment under the post "Photo Albums". Now click on this thumbnail to open the album. and then click on each thumbnail inside to see the enlarged photos and descriptions.

We all have them - whether sons and daughters, grandkids (or great grandkids), nieces and nephews, or the kids next door. And we all love them - especially when they are being their best selves and looking adorable. So how about sending some photos of the kids in your life!?!?! (Click on each photo to open.)

Click on thumbnails or titles to see photos from recent gatherings of the Milby 1960 Reunion Planning Committee. To return to the main post, click on the phrase "milby1960.typepad.com" at the top left of this album.

October 16-18, 2009 was the weekend for the 50th Reunion of the Milby Class of 1959. These guys were our heroes - the "older" classes always are! Click on titles or thumbnail to see photos of that great group of Buffalo.

Current photos of Milby grads and their friends and families (especially grandkids and great grandkids and/or other 2nd and 3rd generation youngsters). Click on album title to open. Once inside the album, click on individual thumbnails to view larger images. Send your photos and narrative to your blogmeister. (davise@swbell.net)

Going back in time to make a new set of memories, Ed and Karla joined Randy and Jeanine on a pleasant 2 hour drive in the country to the sleepy little town of Crockett. Click thumbnails or titles to see the photos and read the narrative.

Remember the lovely Cinderella Story Charlotte shared with us a while back? Well, here's the beginning of the next chapter - HER Wedding!!!. Click on the titles or thumbnails for a larger view and narrative.

While there is still much devastation, and much more work to be done, the rebuilding efforts along the Gulf Coast are in full swing. Click on title or thumbnail to see photos and read narrative of the trip Karla and Ed Davis took to that area during Spring Break.

Do you remember this favorite topic teachers assigned for a first writing project when school started each fall? Let's revisit it through our classmates' photos and captions. Click photos to open/enlarge and to read narrative.

Click on each title or thumbnail to enter the album and see enlarged views. Then send us some photos of your Holiday Gatherings (folks and activities) so we can e-congregate with you! (send to Karla as e-mail attachments).

The idea is conceived, the adventure ensues, the saga unfolds...
On 5/9/2008, Sheila Steele Howard sent an e-mail to this blogmeister, inquiring about the possibility of advertising a TAG SALE that was to be held in the Ag Hall in Kenney, Texas on June 6 & 7.
Click on this title or image to view more on this topic. Then click on the thumbnail of each photo to view the enlarged picture.

John and Linn Echoff recently returned from a 3492 mile road trip, taking time to “smell the roses” throughout the heartland of America. Click on this title or image to view some of the sights they saw and to read John’s narrative. Then click on the thumbnail of each photo to view the enlarged picture.

"Bo and I have been blessed to travel to a lot of different countries over the last 17 years. What a joy to see so many of the beautiful places in this world." Click on this title to see the places in the world that Gladys Payne Bohac has been privileged to visit. Once inside the album, click on each thumbnail for an enlarged view and the accompanying narrative.

Charlotte Vann Casselberry Dew and Gladys Payne Bohac create beautiful Christmas decorations and gifts and sell them through their business, "Holiday Expressions". Click on the title or thumbnail to open the album. Once in, click on each thumbnail to see an enlarged view of some of their creations and to read other information about their business.

My sense of personal fulfillment seems to be somewhat dependent on having a creative project in progress. My projects seldom conform to anything seen in hobby shops or magazines. They are, however, creative, and they are all mine! Double click on this title to open. Inside, double click on any thumbnail to see an enlarged image and read about the project. (Then - as always - send me your stuff so I can create a project photo album on the blog for YOU!)

Ken Corey and his wife Carole spent a few years in the beautiful city of Skopje, Macedonia while Ken managed a building project. Let's view this part of the world through their eyes and experiences! To open this album, click on the title or the photo. Once inside, be sure to click on thumbnails to view larger images and read narrative.

Paul Schrader and his wife, Carolyn, recently (July 2007) returned from a trip to Africa during which they were privileged to engage in a trek to view the mountain gorillas of Uganda . Click on this album title to view the pictures and read Paul's commentary. When viewing the photos, click on the thumbnails for an enlarged image.

Let's share the photos that we took at Thanksgiving or over the Christmas Holidays this year (2007). Click on this title or thumbnail to open this album. Then, as you look at each image, double click on the thumbnail for an enlarged view.

These will take you WAY BACK! Here are photos from our elementary school classes. (Click on album title to open. Once inside the album, click on individual thumbnails to view larger images.) If you can supply more info or other photos, contact your blogmeister. (davise@swbell.net)

For most of us, this age was pretty awkward as we were continually changing in every way. But it was an exciting time too, as we met and made new friends from the other elementary schools that fed into Deady. See if you recognize the Milby 1960 graduates among these smiling faces. (Click on album title to open. Once inside the album, click on individual thumbnails to view larger images.) Submit other photos or information to your blogmeister. davise@swbell.net

Our Milby Buffalo yearbooks contain many photographs that serve as the basis for memories of our days at Milby. Some of us have other photos of various activities and events during the years we were in high school that were not in the Buffalo. This album contains photos that fit in that category. (Click on album title to open. Once inside the album, click on individual thumbnails to view larger images.) Send your photos and info to your blogmeister. davise@swbell.net

We all have memories of various plays and programs participated in or attended during our high school days. Here are some photos of the 1958 Carats Program to embellish those memories. (Click on album title to open. Once inside the album, click on individual thumbnails to view larger images.)

We all have memories of various plays and programs participated in or attended during our high school days. Here are some photos of the 1959 Carats Program to embellish those memories. (Click on album title to open. Once inside the album, click on individual thumbnails to view larger images.)

We all have memories of various plays and programs participated in or attended during our high school days. Here are some photos of the 1960 Carats Program to embellish those memories. (Click on album title to open. Once inside the album, click on individual thumbnails to view larger images.)

We all have memories of various plays and programs participated in or attended during our high school days. Here are some photos from the Plainsman produced Kaleidoscope Program to embellish those memories. (Click on album title to open. Once inside the album, click on individual thumbnails to view larger images.) Please send any related photos that you have to add to this collection. davise@swbell.net

We all have memories of various plays and programs participated in or attended during our high school days. Here are some photos from various productions and activities related to the Milby Drama Department to embellish those memories. (Click on album title to open. Once inside the album, click on individual thumbnails to view larger images.) Please send any related photos that you have to add to this collection. davise@swbell.net